Analyst calls Sixers best team in East, but will it prove true in 2018-19?

Analyst calls Sixers best team in East, but will it prove true in 2018-19?

Many people love Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, but then there’s Nick Wright. The FOX Sports analyst believes the duo will make the Sixers the Eastern Conference’s top team this NBA season.

While it’s a bold claim, Wright might not be too far off.

The third-year Embiid and the second-year Simmons will guide one of the East’s top teams this season. However, Wright, who is “a huge believer in Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid” took it to another level on FOX Sports’ First Things First.

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The reigning Rookie of the Year still can’t shoot, which has fans curious how that handicap will lead to a highly efficient offense. Additionally, Embiid has yet to play over 65 games in a season, so the jury is still out on his durability.

On the flip side, the argument for the Sixers is rock solid. Simmons just came off a season in which he averaged 15/8/8 while Embiid posted a career-high 22.9 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.

Simmons’ progressions seems unknown, but Embiid, who’s been working with top-notch trainer Drew Hanlen, seems to be bulking up and becoming more versatile on the court.

Combine that with the trade for Wilson Chandler and re-signing of JJ Redick, and it seems hard to bet against the Sixers.

The two teams that stand between Philly and complete Eastern Conference dominance are the Toronto Raptors and archrival Celtics.

Coming into the season, both of those teams also have weaknesses and question marks. Toronto is unsure how healthy Kawhi Leonard will be and Boston is bringing back two star players and trying to integrate them into their unselfish offense.

Ultimately, the 82-game season will be a rollercoaster ride through and through, and in the end, if healthy, the Sixers, behind Simmons and Embiid, could very well rule the East for the first time since the commencement of “The Process.”